28 Nov 2021

Modiri Keseabetswe’s passion of making people laugh is an instinct one cannot overlook.

For Mod, as Keseabetswe is fondly known in comedy circle, making people laugh comes across as a natural interest that he had been able to cultivate and successfully nurture throughout the years.

He is now dreaming of spreading his wings wide, expand his circle and strive to attain more knowledge in the comedy industry.

Together with one of the pioneers of the standup comedy genre locally Bobo Letsatsi affectionately known as Ribcracker, Mod has established comedy factory Botswana, an organization that would make that dream come true.

Speaking during the first standup comedy show post Covid-19 restrictions recently, Mod said he was more than encouraged to see massive support from local comedy lovers who had come in pleasing numbers for support.

“It turned out good and I’m excited by the positive response from the crowd. We want to turn another chapter in our local comedy. We want to perform more comedy shows in other urban centers around the country and help make a sustainable income for local guys who have an insatiable talent in comedy,” he said.

Mod took a detour of his professional career and focused on making comedy his source of income to feed his family.

“I want to professionalise this, it’s time we unearth talent and make other people realise that their dreams of living off their talents become true. We encourage people to make a living out of their talents and this is possible,” he added.

Mod said they were aiming to host a number of shows in the coming weeks starting with the Phakalane show this coming Friday.

As expected Mod and Ribcracker ignited uncontrollable laughter in their first comedy appearance at the Maitisong Theatre this past last Thursday.

Celebrating 15 years of doing comedy the duo were joined by an equally talented all-star cast in the mould of Phenyo Phaladi, Ndiye Tamba also known as Triccs, Thapelo Malane and Kago Rannoba AKA Johnny.

Malane a partially sighted young comedian had the crowd in stitches with his comic lines making fun of his disability. He told the crowd that he became blind after watching Btv programme ‘The Eye’.

Phaladi who goes by the stage name Phenyo the master was also in his element making fun of subcultures such as ma-rock, ma-cat and ma-rasta. He started comedy just two years after the likes of Mod had graced the stage threw the crowd into fits of laughter when he perfectly impersonated politicians such as  Themba Joina and local radio stations avid called  Kolo.

Ribcracker became the last act of the day and related in a funny way how the pandemic had impacted on the comedy industry.

Coming from Mochudi himself Ribcracker threw in a few tribal jokes about Bakgatla and their lewd speech. ENDS